A blog about the challenges of losing one job and finding another

If you are unemployed and frustrated, I want to give you what I see as good news. But first, let me stet the stage.

The unemployment rate continues to improve. The latest news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is that the U.S. added 321,000 jobs in November and year-to-date through November 1.7 million more people are working. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.8%. That’s good news, right? Good for the economy, yes, but to a job seeker, maybe that’s bad news – you know – supply and demand. If unemployment is down that means there are fewer jobs open, right? Well, yes, and no.

Here is what I think is even better news. Employment in professional and business services is up over 600,000 YTD. Financial services industries are up over 100,000 YTD. So, people are getting good, professional jobs. It may not have been you yet, but there is hope – lots of hope.

BLS had another press release in December that described the Job Openings and Turnover. This one looked back to October 2014 and said that there were 4.8 million job openings as of October 31st. The largest industry segment was professional and business services with over 900,000 openings and almost 1.2 million people hired. All of those numbers have likely climbed since then so there is a lot of hiring going on.

In October, 2.7 million people quit their jobs. While I don’t have the proof, my supposition is that the vast majority of those quit their job had already found a better one. In professional and business services, almost 600,000 quit their jobs in October.

For the job seeker, I see this as very encouraging news for 2015. Jobs are being created, but there is also a lot of churn in the market. People are getting new jobs, which means that their old jobs are being filled. This movement in the market creates opportunity, and opportunity combined with preparation and execution means getting a new job.

Things will be quiet for another week, then it will be “Katy bar the door!” Get ready, make a plan, be prepared to network like crazy, and 2015 will be your year. Have a very Happy New Year!

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Are you trying to decide on the perfect holiday gift for an unemployed friend (or spouse)? Give them a copy of I’m Fired?!? A Business Fable about the Challenges of Losing One Job and Finding Another.Click here for more details.

Okay – it is the Saturday before Christmas – stuff is flying off the shelves in stores – presents are being wrapped – and you just watched It’s a Wonderful Life for the third or fourth time. So, how is this helping you find a job? It is – indirectly.

I know what it feels like. Twice I was laid off in late-November and I know that it sucks to be unemployed during the holidays. But I also know that in most situations there is not much you can do about it, so don’t fret.

In about two weeks, the job world will change. The New Year brings new budgets, new jobs, and new energy to the job market. Recruiters have new goals. And it looks like the economy is continuing to rebound.

For now, relax and recharge. Spend some time with your family. In your quiet time do your research, build your target list, and work on your resume. Now is a great time to write out answers to sample interview questions and practice saying them aloud. Get yourself ready, because January will be a sprint.

I wish you all the best for a most wonderful holiday season.

Are you trying to decide on the perfect holiday gift for an unemployed friend (or spouse)? Give them a copy of I’m Fired?!? A Business Fable about the Challenges of Losing One Job and Finding Another.Click here for more details.

I realized that a few weeks ago I wrote about Enablers and Limiters, but I didn’t explain myself well. Let me try again.

Your resume and cover letter should be packed with information that makes the reader (recruiter or hiring manager) want to know more. That information needs to relate directly to the job you are applying for. It needs to make the connection that since you’ve done this activity successfully for someone else, you can do it form them also. That information is what I call Enablers.

Enablers tell your story and make links between your skill set and the position requirements. Some enablers might be in your accountabilities – proving you have accomplished before what needs to be done again. They may be in your career history. Sometimes the organization you worked for is not a household name. Giving a 10-word description of the company/industry may help the reader better understand your experience. Maybe your enabler is your education and training.

The dark-side of providing more information are the Limiters. These are statements that cause a reader to stop reading and decide you are not a fit for the job they are trying to fill. Some limiters are obvious like misspellings and poor grammar. Some come from revealing too much personal information like hobbies – if the recruiter is a golf-widow, she may not like to hear that you love to golf, plus, your love of golf is generally not related to your ability to do the job – which is what your resume is for.

Other limiters are a bit trickier. Listing responsibilities rather than accomplishments may suggest this was what you were supposed to do, but maybe you didn’t do it well. Sometimes the companies you worked for can be limiters – touting yourself as a proven executive from Enron or Tyco may be a limiter.

The key to both enablers and limiters is to read you resume and cover letter from the perspective of a hiring manager (have a friend help you do this). Make sure that every word and phrase encourages them to want to know more about you. Avoid mistakes and topics that allow someone to discount your experience or pigeon-hole you in a hole you don’t want to be in.

This is not easy, and it is the main reason that you should review and customize your resume for every job. Information that may be an enabler for one company may be a limiter at another. As you get better at balancing this information, you’ll get more calls, more interviews and more offers.

Are you trying to decide on the perfect holiday gift for an unemployed friend (or spouse)? Give them a copy of I’m Fired?!? A Business Fable about the Challenges of Losing One Job and Finding Another.Click here for more details.

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